Steroid Spray Gels & Creams
Over-the-counter steroid preparations contain lower percentages of active ingredients than prescription steroids and may help reduce the itchiness of insect bites and allergic reactions. However, you should use steroid medication with caution as it may delay healing wounds and skin infections. Seek veterinary advice before using any steroid medication as it may interact with other medicines your dog may be taking or worsen his symptoms.
Proper Bathing & Grooming
This might not seem like a natural remedy, but if your dog suffers from environmental allergies, frequent bathing and grooming is going to offer much needed comfort. Using soothing ingredients such as oatmeal in the shampoos will help your dogs skin feel softer and will relieve the itching they feel. Depending on the severity of your dogs allergies, bathing once a week will greatly improve your dogs condition. Brushing and combing will also help remove dead skin and coat, promoting new growth and removing allergens on top of the skin and fur.
Epsom Salts For Wounds
You might use magnesium-rich Epsom salts to relieve sore muscles. They have anti-inflammatory properties and are also useful for soaking and cleaning wounds, Morgan says. They cause abscesses to open and drain, relieving pressure in the wound and allowing healing. We use these a lot for soaking feet of horses and also dogs with inter-digital sores.
To create a soak for your dog, Morgan advises mixing the Epsom salts with warm water and applying the soak on your dog for five to 10 minutes, three times a day.
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Directly Apply Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a home remedy cure-all. In the case of herbal remedies, apple cider vinegar works in multiple ways. It can soothe your dogs skin as well as fight against any bacteria that could be causing the itch.
Required Ingredients:
- Mix 50/50 of the water and the apple cider vinegar into the spray bottle.
- Shake gently to combine and spray directly onto the affected areas of your dog.
- Repeat twice per day until your dog is no longer itchy.
Wash Their Beds And Blankets
We recommend washing your dogs bed, blankets, and toys more often during allergy season. Choosing beds that are designed with a removable cover that can be washed and dried are best. This helps rid allergen transfer back onto your pups skin and reduce the cycle of symptoms.
We all know living allergy free makes the world go round. Making sure your pup isnt suffering from allergy symptoms by using these natural remedies will make for one happy, sniffle free pooch!
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Video Answer: How To Make Homemade Dog Itch Spray
Start by giving 1/4 teaspoon daily to small dogs or 1 tablespoon daily to big dogs and gradually increase the amount. If your dog tolerates it well after 2 weeks, increase the dose to 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight.
Too much olive oil makes the skin greasy and could provide a breeding ground for yeast and bacteria. Instead, add around 5 drops of olive oil to a cup of water and work this into your dog’s skin and coat. You can do this on a daily basis and if the coat gets a little sticky, blot the excess oil away with paper towel.
Ten Home Remedies For Treating Dogs Itchy Skin
Some itching may be remedied at home while others may require a thorough examination by a veterinarian. You should visit a veterinarian if the itching persists and if your canine friend has much trouble. A vet visit is a must if he develops wounds as a result of itching.
Your veterinarian will determine the major cause of the itching and prescribe you bathing products, over-the-counter medications, or prescriptions. However, if the itching is less severe, seasonal, or intermittent, you may be able to use a home remedy to give your canine friend some natural relief.
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Natural Remedies For Your Itchy Dog
As a child, you were probably told that scratching an itch would only make it worse. And its true
Scratching irritates mast cells, which produce histamine during inflammatory and allergic reactions. And these histamines are what make you itch! Thats why scratching intensifies the problem its a vicious cycle.
To make matters worse, dogs have ten times as many mast cells in their skin as you do. And theyre spread all over a dogs body. That means your dog experiences a lot more itching with any kind of allergic response.
Its too bad that dogs arent very amenable to the same kind of advice our mothers gave us.
The good news is that there are many readily available natural topical products that will do the job well. In fact, you may have many of these itch fixes in your home.
When To Go To The Vet
Sometimes you cant treat dog allergies at home, which is when you should take your pet to the vet. It can happen if the reaction is severe and/or persistent. If your dog is starting to choke and has difficulty breathing call your vet immediately.
Other symptoms that might require your vets attention include:
- Yeast infections These are characterized by a repulsive, foughty smell.
- Wounds If your pets scratched itself and created a wound, its best if your vet gives you a prescription topical to avoid infections.
- Scratching for more than a week If none of the dog itching remedies is helping and the scratching continues, that might be a sign of a more severe condition like an autoimmune disease.
- Hairfall It might be a sign of an immune system problem.
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Diy Home Remedies For Dry Itchy Skin
May 05, 20213 min read
Dry, itchy skin can leave your dog feeling miserable and you going crazy over your dogs incessant scratching. All this scratching can be unbearable to watch and give you the itches.
To remedy the situation, try these easy, safe and natural remedies to soothe dry, itchy skin and give your dog some relief.
1. Vinegar & Water
Vinegar and water is a great option for DIY itchy skin relief. Calm the itch by mixing a solution of half vinegar and half cold water in a spray bottle. Then, spray the affected areas as needed. This works well on dry, itchy skin or poison ivy but do NOT use on open cuts or raw skin. Vinegar has antifungal properties and is effective in killing bacteria and microbes.
2. Oatmeal
Another home remedy for an itchy dog is to put a half cup of oatmeal in a quart of water, bring to a boil, strain, and let it cool to room temperature. Pat the mixture on the itchy spots and let dry.
Alternatively, you can draw a warm bath and sprinkle in raw oats. Let your pet sit in the water for ten to fifteen minutes.
3. Olive Oil & Lavender
Oils can be used as a home remedy for dry, itchy skin. Mix ½ cup of olive oil with ½ teaspoon of lavender essential oil. Dip a cotton ball in the oil mixture and rub on the itchy areas.
You can also add a little bit of olive oil to your dogs food. One tablespoon of olive oil a few times a week should help your dogs skin and coat. Omega-3 fatty acids are great for getting rid of dry skin.
4. Fish Oil
When Should I Call The Vet For My Dogs Itchy Skin
Most of the time your dogs itching problems will diminish with the easy fixes we outlined above.
However, if the itching is making your dog irritable, causing bleeding or open wounds, or doesnt go away, call the vet.
Itching can be a sign of a deeper illness that cant be fixed with skin-deep remedies.
Your dog may also need treatment for a bacterial skin infection or need a steroid cream to soothe and heal the skin.
If you notice your dog licking woundsor infection caused by scratching, read our related article, Why Do Dogs Lick Pus? to learn more about the behavior and how and why you should stop it.
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Try Apple Cider Vinegar
Organic, raw, unfiltered apple cider offers many benefits to dogs suffering from allergies. If your dog has hot spots or itchy skin, you can apply a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water to your dog. Put the solution in a spray bottle for easy use. This same spray will help repel fleas and ticks a common allergen for many dogs. You can also use it to clean out your dogs ears. The acidity of the mixture makes for an environment that yeast cant live in and yeast infections are typically caused by allergies. Make sure that the acidity isnt too strong for your dog some prefer a different mixture than the 50/50 suggested.
Home Remedies For Dog Allergies: What To Know
Dog allergies are no joke. Many of our canine friends suffer from allergic reactions and associated itching, intense scratching, and other symptoms. It can be heartbreaking to watch your fur baby go through this, and it’s important to get your pet the relief they need.
After consulting with your vet, try some of the home remedies for dog allergies discussed above. Many can be administered with over-the-counter ingredients that aren’t hard to find. That means your dog can get back to normal as quickly as possible.
To learn more about your dog’s health and care needs, read the Native Pet blog.
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Why Is My Dog So Itchy
Itchy skin is a very common problem in dogs and can be caused by a variety of factors. Some are very simple to treat, whereas others may require veterinary attention. Common causes of itchy skin include:
Many creepy-crawlies can inhabit our canine friends coat, including fleas, mites, lice, and ticks.
Fleas
If your dog isnt protected against fleas all year round with a good-quality parasite prevention regime, then it could be fleas causing his itchiness. Its often impossible to see live fleas on your pet, but you may notice flea dirt in his coat. This dirt is essentially the poo that fleas leave behind, and it looks like tiny black specks or dots. These black dots will turn red when placed on wet paper.
Mites
Unlike fleas, mites are microscopic, so you cant see them with the naked eye. Mites, such as sarcoptic mites that cause sarcoptic mange, result in intense itching that leads to open sores, scabs, and hair loss.
Lice
Dog lice are small, flat, wingless insects that live on the hair. Adult lice are roughly the size of a sesame seed you may be able to see them by parting your dogs hair near the root. They dont move quickly like fleas. Lice can cause excessive itching, hair loss, and scaling of the skin, similar to dandruff.
Ticks
What Are Potential Natural Remedies For My Dog
After consulting with your veterinarian, natural remedies in conjunction with your dogs recommended treatment may prove to be beneficial.
Apple cider vinegar in particular is a popular natural alternative for all-purpose cleaners, denture cleaners, and even itch remedies! Some studies suggest that ACV is not effective in treating parasitic infections, although these studies were assessing humans and not dogs . The intrinsic antimicrobial properties of apple cider vinegar have been observed in several studies. A investigation into the antimicrobial capacity of apple cider vinegar found that the minimum dilution of ACV recommended for growth inhibition of C. albicans, E. coli, and S. aureus is a 50/50 ratio of ACV and water . A spray is particularly useful for itchy skin, but this solution should only be used if there are no open wounds as the apple cider vinegar could cause stinging.
Lastly, a review based on four books and a survey among veterinarians specialized in phytotherapy found that Calendula officinalis L. , Hypericum perforatum L. agg. , Matricaria chamomilla L./ Matricaria recutita L. , and Salvia officinalis L. have broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal effects . Regardless, if you are considering integrating herbal medicine into your dogs care, consult your veterinarian to come up with a plan that can address the root cause of your furry friends pruritus most effectively.
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Can Apple Cider Vinegar Relieve A Dogs Itching Skin
Apple cider vinegar is an inexpensive, all-natural solution for a number of dog problems, including itchy skin caused by allergies.
When applied topically to your dogs skin, apple cider vinegar will help to soothe and relieve itching while restoring the skins natural pH balance.
It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help to prevent infection in any open wounds caused by scratching.
To use apple cider vinegar as a dog itch remedy, mix one-part vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle and apply it directly to your dogs itchy areas.
You can also add a cup of apple cider vinegar to your dogs bathwater, but carefully keep the vinegar water out of their face and eyes.
Give Fido Relief At Home: Home Remedies For Dog Allergies
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, perhaps to pollen or mold, or a particular food allergy, you know how frustrating it can be. The same is true for your canine companion. Our dogs can react to all sorts of allergens, including pollen, dust, dirt, mold, ingredients in food, medication, and more.
Allergies can affect a dog of any breed, size, and age, and they can be debilitating if not dealt with. As a pet owner, it’s up to you to find out what your dog is reacting to and seek treatment. That way, you can get your pooch back to feeling like themselves as quickly as possible.
Keep in mind that in many cases, allergies can’t be cured completely. They can be managed, though. And it turns out that there are several ways to give your dog relief in the comfort of your own home. Home remedies for dog allergies are often more common and effective than ever.
Let’s take a closer look at the symptoms of dog allergies so that you know what to look for. Then, we’ll discuss several home remedies that you can try.
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Apple Cider Vinegar Water Spray
Apple cider vinegar has a lot of uses for not only humans but also pets. If your pet has itchy skin, this concoction of 50/50 water and ACV spray can help relieve your pets skin allergies or irritation. This home remedy can also be used in a bath format. Fill up a small container with equal parts water and apple cider vinegar and soak your pets paws in it.
Oatmeal Bath For Itchy Dogs
- Oatmeal is an age-old remedy for our dry, itchy skin that happens to be safe for use on our canine friends too! In fact, most doggy hypoallergenic shampoos include oatmeal as an active ingredient to soothe and fight irritation.
- Start by grinding plain oatmeal into a powder to sprinkle in your dogs warm bath. The oatmeal will typically take 10 to 15 minutes to cool down red, angry skin, no matter the cause. It is also nontoxic, so its okay if your pet licks some off during their long bath. If this sounds like a long time for your pup to be in the tub without a struggle, try some of our techniques to Curb Bath Time Fears.
- Another option to avoid a full-on bath is to make an oatmeal paste. Take your ground oatmeal and gradually add a little bit of water until you are left with a paste that has a spreadable consistency. Target spots that have been bothering your dog and make sure the paste is in contact with the skin on longer-haired dogs for maximum relief.
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What Are The Best Natural Home Remedies For Dogs With Itchy Skin
Once youve seen a vet and theyve confirmed that your dogs itching is caused by an easily treatable issue, like mild allergies, you might prefer to try home remedies over prescription medications. You might even want to try these natural soothing treatments alongside their medication to provide instant relief.
1. Plain Sugar-Free Yogurt
Yogurt is known for its soothing properties, and since its safe for dogs as long as you buy the plain, sugar-free, unsweetened kind it can be a useful remedy for dogs with allergies. Some skin irritation can be caused by issues in the gut particularly hives and rashes.
So if you know this to be the source of your pets allergies then feeding a teaspoon to a tablespoon of yogurt could help improve their gut health. You can mix it in with their food if they dont like it plain.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Another natural remedy for gut issues and soothing itchiness is apple cider vinegar. Known for its antifungal and antiseptic properties, it can be sprayed onto sore areas to help aid in healing. Its also known as a form of relief from poison ivy.
However, avoid using apple cider vinegar on raw or open wounds. Vinegar stings and can cause them further pain if their stretching has broken the skin.
3. Coconut Oil
Vitamin E is also known to be a great conditioner for the hair, so as well as soothed skin you might even notice their coat looking thicker and sleeker after using coconut oil topically.
4. An Oatmeal Bath
5. A Herbal Tea Bath